Serra statue defaced with graffiti calling for divestment

College officials discovered the graffiti prior to the Board meeting. | DAISY NEWBURY On Oct. 24, just after 11 a.m., College officials discovered graffiti calling for divestment and  support for  Palestine on the Richard Serra sculpture in the West Quad. Three phrases were written on the interior of the structure using red spray paint: “F— The Board,” “FREE PALESTINE” and “Divest NOW.” Pivot by Richard Serra was installed on campus in June 2020 following a donation from Graham Gund ’63 H’81 and his wife, Ann Gund. As of Wednesday, the graffiti has not been removed; however, it has been covered temporarily with black cardstock and magnets.  According to Gund Director and Chief Curator Daisy Desrosiers, former MoMA Sculpture and Objects Conservator Roger Griffith will supervise the development of a tailored restoration plan following an initial assessment of the damage this weekend. This plan may include cleaning vandalized areas and repairing physical damage to the weathering steel, likely with specific care taken to maintain the material’s natural patina. Any restoration will be documented to maintain a historical record of the work done.  The restoration timeline is dependent on how extensively the markings have penetrated the sculpture’s surfaces. Desrosiers hopes for treatment...